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When you start thinking about your first gay date you may very well find yourself either terribly excited or terribly frightened or anything in between. A date, no matter what the gender association, is truly just a date. Yet there are those who transition into the land of gay dating wondering if the expectations are different.

The gay culture is a different culture in many ways, but the reality is that whether you’re going on a gay date or a straight date people are pretty much just people. Just like there are dates that are well matched for the hetero love fests, there are people that are well match in the gay one. It works the same except that you share the same gender.

Whether that means you find yourself in a gay club for the first time or you find yourself sitting in the middle of the world with all kinds of normalcy surrounding you, it might not be what you expected.

You may have some new and interesting desires as your first gay dating experience unfolds. It’s no cool to use someone as an experiment to find out “what it’s like” without them being fully aware that this is your intention. Give them the option before proceeding.

Whatever your initial feelings are, they are quite likely to change over time. As you get into your date, start having fun, and realize that the world outside of you is still the same as it was before you went out, everything will be fine.

The most vital aspect of going on your first same gender date is to relax and be who you are. Whatever that means to you, it’s the best way to get through the night with grace, honor, and self value.  A date is really just about having some fun with another person. However that might work out for you is fine.

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Many people know the Miao for their silver jewels, but about 200 years ago, thousands of Miao people migrated from China into the mountainous areas of Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos. A few lucky groups even made it to the US.

In the Vietnamese War, many Miao people fought alongside US troops against the Pathet Lao. Their leader was General Bao Vang. When the Pathet Lao took control in 1975, many Miao people fled to avoid being persecuted. Many landed in refugee camps ouside of Vietnam.

Before long, many people were able to go to the US, Australia, and Europe, thanks to the UN. Most people tried to go to America. It is believed that some 27,000 Miao refugees made it into the US in 1980.

Refugees began setteling in about 50 different US cities. Brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives were seperated and had to live in different areas. But in the early 1980s, many Miao people started moving into the cities to be closer to friends and family. Interestingly enough, most Miao people now live around the Great Lakes area and California.

Coming to a Western country like the US was not easy, and many Miao people had trouble at first. Back int heir home county, it was acceptable for a man to have mabny wives, but after arrival in the State, they had to choose one and get rid of the others.

Quite a few Miao tribe thought it was acceptable to “kidnap” a woman as a way of asking for her hand in marriage. Obviously in the US that kind of thing is not allowed, so many Miao men found themselves in more than a little trouble.

Almost 30 years went by. Today, the Miao have adapted themselves well to American society while still keeping some of their customs. Now there are over 200,000 Miao/Hmong people in the US. “Hmong” is what they’re called.

In St. Paul-Minneapolis, one of the largest Miao communities, you can find many malls and shops selling colorful Miao costumes and silver jewelry.

During the Miao New Year and other holidays, the Miao dress up with their colorful ethnic costumes and handamde silver jewels to get together with friends and family members. The Miao New Year celebration is usually held over a weekend in autumn. In some years, it even falls on the Fourth of July.

The Miao work hard to protect their ethnic culture. Now, they have their own publications that can introduce their customs and silver jewels to everyone. They also have their radio stations broadcasting the Miao language.

Most Miao send their Chinldren to special schools so they can learn about their ancient culture no matter where they are. Some Miao people in the US even make elaborate sterling silver jewels like those found in China.

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